Is the Pop Up shop going to become a long-term feature on the streets of every rural town in Ireland?Minister Hogan today helped launch the Carlow Pop Scheme for Carlow Town. Pop-ups, or flash retailing, as they are known, are temporary retail outlets that allow retailers to sell their items in a prime retail space at much lower costs and with significantly reduced terms.

The Carlow scheme was designed by Carlow County Enterprise Board & Carlow Town Council and âallows potential shop keepers to test an idea in a suitable vacant premises in Carlow Town in a formalized support environment explainedâ said Tom Barry , Chairperson of Carlow County Enterprise Board & County Manger of Carlow Local Authorities.At the launch Barry commented that âwe have married together the supports provided by the Enterprise Board and the Business Support Unit to provide a one stop solution for potential retailers dealing with issues such as rates, planning, business advice and financeâ

The scheme was designed after a number of successful pilots and a public consultation and has been endorsed by Carlow Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking about the programme Minister Hogan said âVacant properties are an issue in many rural towns in Ireland and schemes like this give an opportunity to suitable individuals to establish a retail enterprise in our streets, This is not only good news for small businesses wanting to get a foothold on the market and begin selling their products to their target customers but it is also vital in helping keep the high streets from becoming ghost townâ.

Carlow has recently been selected as a pilot town for the Retail Excellence Ireland Town Programme. Speaking about the programme, Eileen Brophy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow Town Council said âMaintaining the streets of Carlow as a destination of choice for the shopper is key to keeping our towns and cities alive. Pop-up shops offer a sense of variety and give a different type of dynamic. Shoppers are treated to new retailers offering unique goods that would normally bypass high street retail.